Robin Kay gives props to George Smitherman at Dare to Wear Love gala

The big closer of LG Fashion Week, the Dare to Wear Love gala fundraiser for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, brought to the runway the CanCon stars we’re so used to seeing in the front row—models strutted their stuff in designs made from African fabrics by the likes of Wayne Clark, Linda Lundström, David Dixon and Izzy Camilleri.

FDCC chair Robin Kay gave a short introduction speech, saying, “Talking about Style With Power, I just wanted to say hi to Mr. Smitherman over there,” snubbing mayoral candidate Joe Pantalone, who was also in attendance. Guess we know how she’s voting today. Tara Spencer-Nairn opened the show, half walking, half skipping the runway in a full-skirted number by Nada; Anne-Marie Mediwake sauntered in David Dixon; and Keshia Chanté strolled in Adrian Wu before an interpretive dance break, which, judging by the woman’s outfit of blue body paint and dreads, was brought to us by Avatar. The Canadians kept coming, as Anna Maria Tremonti, Arlene Dickinson, and Wendy Mesley and her daughter Kate walked, though it seemed the audience was most delighted when a particularly chiselled male model removed his shirt to show beefcake abs and chest. But the most oohs and ahhs of the night came when the closing dress by Izzy Camilleri was trotted out by a red-headed little girl.